Indesit F15 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What F15 actually means

The machine has found a problem with the part of the control that switches the heater on and off, so the water isn't being heated.

On Indesit machines that use this the fault, F15 is a heater control fault. The control board watches what happens when it calls for heat, and if the current or temperature readings don't behave as expected it shuts the heating down and stops the programme. Typically the wash either runs cold all the way through or sits and pauses partway, often with the clothes still soaking and the drum full.

What F15 looks like on a Indesit washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Indesit washing machine, F15 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Machine door won't open
Door won't lock or click shut
Door lock light flashing
Door stuck shut with the load inside
Won't start even with the door closed
Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

Failed heating element in the wash drum
Heater relay on the main control board stuck or burnt out
Faulty thermostat or temperature sensor giving the board wrong readings
Loose or corroded connection at the heater
On washer dryers, a fault in the drying heater circuit rather than the wash heater

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart a short programme — occasionally a one-off glitch clears
Confirm you haven't accidentally selected a cold wash or an eco programme that heats very little, which can be mistaken for no heating
Check the cycle is running with the door properly shut and the machine not overloaded

Common questions about Indesit F15

What does F15 mean on a Indesit washing machine?

The machine has found a problem with the part of the control that switches the heater on and off, so the water isn't being heated. On Indesit machines that use this the fault, F15 is a heater control fault. The control board watches what happens when it calls for heat, and if the current or temperature readings don't behave as expected it shuts the heating down and stops the programme. Typically the wash either runs cold all the way through or sits and pauses partway, often with the clothes still soaking and the drum full.

Can I fix Indesit F15 myself?

There are 3 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then back on and restart a short programme — occasionally a one-off glitch clears.
Confirm you haven't accidentally selected a cold wash or an eco programme that heats very little, which can be mistaken for no heating.
Check the cycle is running with the door properly shut and the machine not overloaded.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Indesit F15?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing F15?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Indesit washing machine codes

All Indesit fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Indesit F15 error — washing machine